Introduction

WGMU Radio Station is located on the Fairfax

Fairfax, Virginia

The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....

 campus of Virginia

Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...

's George Mason University

George Mason University

George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...

. Offices are in Student Union Building II, The HUB, suite 1201 and studios/broadcasting facilities are located on the ground floor in the George W. Johnson Center. WGMU has a history dating back to the 1980s and had an AM signal at one point. It now broadcasts live 24/7 on www.wgmuradio.com

Amongst its roles at the university, WGMU functions as the home station for the Final Four team the George Mason Patriots

George Mason Patriots

The George Mason Patriots are the athletic teams of George Mason University. The school's athletic program includes 22 NCAA Division I varsity sports, consisting of 11 men's and 11 women's teams...

, who achieved international fame in 2005-2006 season. The station broadcasts every home game for the women's and men's teams as part of the Athletic Department's Go Mason Digital Network. Broadcasts begin 30 minutes before tip-off with Pride of the Patriots for the women's games.

WGMU is also home to a wide variety of musical shows. In 2006, WGMU aired live call-ins with such artists such as Thomas Dolby

Thomas Dolby

Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...

, Necro, New Riders of the Purple Sage's Ronnie Penque

Ronnie Penque

Ronnie Penque is a bassist, singer and songwriter who has been working in the music industry for over 30 years. Penque is most notably recognized for his work with the current New Riders of the Purple Sage. The New Riders emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco, California in 1969...

, Giddle Partridge, and Deep Red

Deep Red

Profondo Rosso is a 1975 giallo film directed and written by Dario Argento and co-written by Bernardino Zapponi. It was released on March 7, 1975 in Italy and June 11, 1976 in the United States. The film's score was composed and performed by Goblin...

. In 2007, WGMU invited Virginia-based artists and bands such as Dermaptera, guitarist Phil Venable (The Venables, Crankcase), ukelele player/singer Mike Ratel, guitarist Wes Howard, and Sansyou up for on air concerts. In 2010-2011 they interviewed notable people such as Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon

James Thomas "Jimmy" Fallon, Jr. is an American actor, comedian, singer, musician and television host. He currently hosts Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a late-night talk show that airs Monday through Friday on NBC...

, Russell Brand

Russell Brand

Russell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...

, Keith Morrison

Keith Morrison

Keith Morrison is a Canadian, veteran broadcast journalist. Since 1995, he has been a correspondent for Dateline NBC.-Career:...

, Presidential Candidate and former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson may refer to:*Gary Johnson , former Governor of New Mexico and candidate for President in 2012*Gary Johnson , American politician, Wisconsin State Assembly...

 and original MTV VJ and current Sirius XM Radio 80's on 8 host Nina Blackwood

Nina Blackwood

Nina Blackwood is an American disc jockey and music journalist, who was the first of the original five MTV VJs. She has also been an actress and model.-Early life and career:...

.

In 2007 WGMU became entangled in controversy when indie artist Caeser Pink & The Imperial Orgy

The Imperial Orgy

The Imperial Orgy is an artist collective founded in 1993 by artist Caeser Pink. Known primarily for their multimedia performances, music recordings, and film works, the group's creative work expresses an underlying philosophy of personal, spiritual, and political liberation based on independent...

 claimed that their CD titled Gospel Hymns For Agnostics & Atheists was banned from airplay on the station. The group's label claimed that when they asked if the station was refusing to play the CD because it was too controversial, WGMU Radio music director Skyler Silliphant stated “I played the CD for the DJs and they said outright they wouldn’t play it on the air.” Later when questioned about the issue by Spinnaker Newspaper reporter Jenna Strom, Silliphant denied ever making the statement. To add to the controversy Strom wrote an article on the WGMU controversy claiming that the CD was "full of Jesus bashing and promoted drug use as a way to find happiness," deeming the CD "Downright sacrilegious."
Caeser Pink denied the allegations and published a letter to the editor stating his case.

WGMU Today

The station features a wide range of programing. It consists of local music, mainstream music, news, and talk programming. Interviews and in studio sessions are done regularly with local bands. Due to its close proximity to DC, political figures have appeared on the station.

Currently, WGMU radio is led by Alexander Romano, Program Director

Program director

In service industries, such as education, a program director or programme director researches, plans, develops and implements one or more of the firm's professional services...

and their faculty adviser is Professor Rodger Smith.

WGMU reports to CMJ.